Here's news about the latest events happening in our school:

• Tom & The Trolls

  Wed 19 Oct 2022 Mrs Delaney

  The amazing storytelling company Gripping Yarns came to visit year 3 and 4 to tell us the tale of "Tom and the Trolls". The story uses very large (2 metre tall) puppets for dramatic impact and to clarify core messages applicable and comprehensible to children between the ages of six and eleven.

  
  Tom and the Trolls tells the story of a young human child who meets and makes friends with a group of trolls. When he is unable to join in their games because he is different from them. He is teased, called names and threatened. Tom’s feelings are explored and a range of typical responses offered for evaluation. When silent suffering, fighting back and bribery fail to stop the bullying. Tom eventually realises he needs help and tells the Chief Troll what has happened. Together Tom and the trolls, with the help of the Chief, change their behaviour and break out of their bullying roles, establishing a new ethos of
  co-operation and support.

  
  The children were then encouraged to ask questions or make comments. The children were curious about how the puppets were made and thoroughly enjoyed seeing their heads come off to reveal how they were put together! The children also shared some of their real life experiences with conflict on the playground and we discussed our best methods of resolution.

   

  Our children were also incredibly polite and shared how much they’d enjoyed the play with the actor Simon Firth.  Our year 4 classes have very kindly reviewed their experience! They have written some beautiful reviews and Mrs Delaney wanted to share a selection of them.

  • I liked it because of how much effort he put into it! I loved it.
  • I love it so I’ll rate it 10 out of 10, it’s just so so so cool. 
  • I was flabbergasted, he was a fantastic actor.
  • I liked it because it was funny and he acted it out really good. The puppets were made of love and the show was just really pleasant.
  • I loved the story because now I know not to keep a bad secret.
  • It was impressive how it was made up and acted, I liked how big the trolls were.

  

• Author visit inspires Upper Key Stage 2 pupils

  Fri 07 Oct 2022

  Ben Davis comes to Westwood Primary School

  The author Ben Davis performed an incredible assembly for year 5 and 6! He talked about his own embarrassing Dad and asked the children to share their own embarrassing family stories!

   

  He read a couple of extracts from his books, making the children laugh and jump! We were also extremely privileged to be the first school to hear a part from his newest book. He talked about how his inspiration came from real life events, including an amusing anecdote involving trying to deliver letters to a house being guarded by an angry swan!

   

  He kindly answered lots of the children's questions about being an author and whether he was ‘mates with anyone famous’!

   

  Year 6 Workshops

  Ben visited year 6 classes and together they created a character. They voted on what sort of family member it would be, what hairstyle they’d have and what they’d wear. The children then chose a name for the character - this would be the antagonist (the bad guy). They then created their main character and decided upon their goal or quest. We had one who wanted to be a pro wrestler, a Hollywood actor and a footballer. The children had to then create a story around these characters and their motivation, they could use drawings, make notes or start writing the story.

   

  Visiting Year 4 and Book Signing!

  Ben was kind enough to also come and visit our year 4 classes and tell them about his books and answer lots of questions! The children were very excited and had lots of wonderful questions prepared. Mrs Delaney also cornered Ben in the library and got him to sign all copies of his books that we have in the library! Lots of our children also designed their own autograph cards or got Ben to sign their work. Even Mr Albert joined in and got a photo for his door! There was a great deal of fun, excitement and laughter all day!